City Comparison
Riesa vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Riesa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Riesa
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Riesa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
38% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Riesa's average rent is
48% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Riesa | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $750 | $1,450 | -48% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $220 | $400 | -45% |
| Transport | $85 | $120 | -29% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,585 | $2,570 | -38% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 35% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Grants Pass delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Riesa is estimated at
$36,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Riesa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $42,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $36,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,846 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $41,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Riesa runs warmer on average — a 51°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Riesa comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Riesa sees 6.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Riesa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 30.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 6.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Riesa.
Riesa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Riesa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Riesa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 60.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 72.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Riesa.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Grants Pass has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Riesa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 48.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Riesa
Advantages
Average rental prices are significantly lower than the German national average and major urban hubs like Dresden.
Direct rail connections provide fast, convenient access to Leipzig, Dresden, and Berlin.
Extensive green spaces and direct access to the Elbe River valley offer excellent outdoor recreation opportunities.
Low crime rates and a secure environment make it highly suitable for families and retirees.
Strong local industrial heritage and stable employment opportunities in manufacturing and engineering.
Drawbacks
Lower average salaries compared to major western German economic centers.
Demographic aging presents long-term economic and municipal planning challenges.
Limited local nightlife and entertainment options relative to larger metropolitan cities.
Public transport frequency in outlying residential districts can be sparse during weekends.
Slower economic diversification outside of traditional manufacturing sectors.
Grants Pass
Advantages
Access to world-class outdoor recreation on the Rogue River, including rafting and fishing.
More sunny days and a warmer, drier climate compared to much of western Oregon.
Housing is comparatively more affordable than larger West Coast cities and some other Oregon metros.
A growing arts and food scene in a walkable, historic downtown.
Friendly community atmosphere appealing to families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Overall crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, particularly due to property crime.
Limited high-wage job opportunities compared to larger economic centers.
Air quality can be impacted by wildfire smoke during certain seasons.
Presence of a significant homeless population in the downtown core.
High car dependency due to minimal public transportation options.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Riesa
#41Saxony, Germany
62.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$750
Avg Salary
$42,000
Cost Index
78
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
60.0/100
Walkability
72.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
51.00°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
75
Business
65
Grants Pass
#584Oregon, USA
45.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$64,331
Cost Index
112
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
27.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
60
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